China Methodist Church, China, Texas

Forest Park Methodist Church, Beaumont, Texas

Photo of Mark Fleming

It was a privilege to be appointed as pastor of Forest Park Methodist Church and China Methodist Church at the beginning of October, 2023.

I hope to be developing this website as a place for resources for ministry for both congregations.

Let me also invite you to worship with us some Sunday morning soon. Services are:

9:30 a.m. at China Methodist Church, 205 W. Washington Ave., China (map)

11 a.m. at Forest Park Methodist Church, 225 S. Major Dr., Beaumont. Parking lots open to the side street, Drennan Drive, next to Amelia Elementary School (map)

  • Photo of a stained glass window at China Methodist church. The window portrays a rising dove above three empty crosses.
    ‘Love in truth and action’ (Sermon for April 21)
    One of the great balancing acts of the Christian faith is remembering that we are not saved by our actions (rather, we are saved by God’s action), but that our actions reveal the truth of our salvation.
  • Photo of a stained glass window at China Methodist church. The window portrays a rising dove above three empty crosses.
    ‘Raised to forgive’ (Sermon for April 14)
    Two things that stand out in today’s reading are food and forgiveness: food, because its a common factor in several of Jesus’s post-resurrection appearances, and forgiveness, because it’s at the heart of what Luke says is the church’s preaching mission.
  • Photo of a stained glass window at China Methodist church. The window portrays a rising dove above three empty crosses.
    ‘Persistence’ (Sermon for April 7)
    This week’s sermon will look at the familiar passage we usually call the story of Doubting Thomas. His doubts, though, aren’t the most significant thing.
  • Photo of a stained glass window at China Methodist church. The window portrays a rising dove above three empty crosses.
    ‘I have seen the Lord’ (Sermon for Easter Sunday, March 31)
    In John’s account of Easter Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene is the first to bear witness to the great truth that is still at the heart of the Christian witness: “I have seen the Lord.”
  • Image of the empty tomb at sunrise, with three crosses visible in the background. Words on the image are: Christ is risen! China community sunrise service, 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 245 W. Highway 90, China, Texas
    Christ is risen! (Sermon for Easter Sunrise Service, March 31)
    The China community will gather at 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection in a traditional sunrise worship service. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church will host the service and Rev. Fleming will preach.
  • bread, grapes, candles and chalice on dark fabric for Holy Communion
    ‘Table’ (Sermon for Maundy Thursday, March 28)
    Maundy Thursday recalls the Last Supper, when Jesus gathered his disciples around the table and told them to remember him through their love for one another.
  • Photo of the altar of China Methodist Church decorated for Palm Sunday in 2022. There are palms in the foreground and a pair of palms in the background, sharing vases with purple and white flowers.
    ‘Leaves in the wind’ (Sermon for March 24)
    Palm Sunday represents a shift in mood from Lent. After about five weeks of somber preparation for remembering the crucifixion of Jesus, and leading into the darkest week of the Christian year, it is a day of festivity and celebration (though somewhat hollow in retrospect).
  • Detail of a stained glass window showing a cross, crown and Bible. Window is at Forest Park Methodist Church, Beaumont.
    ‘Heart-writing’ (Sermon for March 17)
    As we continue the journey toward Good Friday (and the promise of Easter beyond), we will look at another of the times that Jesus speaks with his disciples about his upcoming death and resurrection, and what that will mean for them and the world. The main sermon text this week is the Gospel reading, John 12:20-33 (read it here). Unlike… Read more: ‘Heart-writing’ (Sermon for March 17)
  • Detail of a stained glass window showing a cross, crown and Bible. Window is at Forest Park Methodist Church, Beaumont.
    ‘Saved through faith’ (Sermon for March 10)
    This week’s reading, John 3:14-21, contains what is undoubtedly the best known scripture reference, John 3:16. Often seen at sporting events and other public gatherings, it highlights a verse at the heart of the passage, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Stripped of its… Read more: ‘Saved through faith’ (Sermon for March 10)
  • Thinking Global
    Three of the key leaders of the Trinity Conference of the Global Methodist Church created a podcast that shares some insight into their plans and vision for the churches of eastern Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. This podcast features President Pro Tem Rev. Jim Welch, executive officer Rev. Jason Burnham and strategic planning committee chair Rev. Drew Essen. Listen to it… Read more: Thinking Global